Gov. Ivey extended mask mandate once again

With COVID-19 cases continuing to rise across the state, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey announced on Dec. 9 that she was extending her statewide mask mandate through Jan. 22, 2021.

The mask mandate was scheduled to expire on Dec. 11 before Ivey extended it.

“Alabamians have been showing incredible resiliency in doing their part to slow the spread of this virus,” Ivey said. “None of this is easy, none of it. As I’ve done previously I cannot thank the people of Alabama enough for the sacrifices you are making for yourselves and for others.”

Ivey mentioned that the first COVID-19 vaccines would be rolled out in Alabama soon but hopes that residents will not look at that as meaning the pandemic is over.

“We shouldn’t lull ourselves into complacency in thinking we are out of the woods yet,” she emphasized. “These are some of our darkest days we’ve seen since COVID-19 first came into our thoughts. The recent rise in COVID-19 cases has put a strain on our hospitals.

“I ask everyone, as the vaccine begins to roll out, that we don’t just mentally flip the switch and move on from taking precautions.”

Ivey said that until the general public can be vaccinated, masks are the only weapon the community has to fight the virus.

“The mask (mandate) remains the one stopgap we have to keep the order of our daily lives. This is one sacrifice we can all make in order to keep our friends and loved ones safe,” she said. “Let me remind the people of Alabama, as clearly as I can, to wear your masks, wash your hands and sanitize your personal spaces as much as possible. I’m not trying to be Gov. Mee Maw – as some have referred to me as – I’m simply trying to urge people to use good common sense, which we all have.”

No other changes to Ivey’s Safer at Home Order were made.